In a release addressed to the editors of all national level dailies, UK Sahoo, head of office, Doordarshan Kendra, Agartala claimed that "the News Unit of the local station of Doordarshan at Agartala has given wide coverage to the public address of the Hon'ble Chief Minister of Tripura and the development activities of the State Government."

Contrary to what media reports, Doordarshan said that there was no attempt to black out the chief minister's speech.

"On August 15, 2017, Doordarshan also gave wide coverage to the Chief Minister's Independence Day programme and telecast report running to 29 minutes and 45 seconds. Out of which, the Hon'ble Chief Minister's speech coverage was for 12 minutes. This was telecast at 1900 hrs," Sahoo said.

Doordarshan also said that the programme was also slotted for a repeat telecast at 4.45 pm on Thursday.

An official statement from the chief minister's office said that All India Radio (AIR) and Doordarshan Kendra (DDK), Agartala, recorded Sarkar's speech on 12 August to broadcast and telecast it on 15 August.

"On 14 August evening Assistant Director of Programmes (Policy) Sanjiv Dosajh of AIR, New Delhi, and Prasar Bharati's head of office (New Delhi) UK Sahoo in separate communications to the chief minister's office said that with the existing contents the speech could not be telecast and broadcast by AIR and DDK, Agartala," the statement said.

"The AIR and Prasar Bharati officials had suggested reshaping the content of the chief minister's speech making it suitable to the solemnity of the occasion and sentiments of the people of India at large. The chief minister refused to make any change in his speech," the statement added.